Professor Eason’s science speciality is toxicology, particularly in relation to drugs and natural compounds. He has worked in controversial areas such as chemicals for predator and possum control and fluoridation of water, and continues to be involved in research and publish in the field of wildlife management through his association with Lincoln University. Early in his research career Professor Eason worked on the development and commercialisation of three cardiovascular drugs in Europe. He moved to Landcare Research in 1990 and began development of more than 15 new devices, traps and toxins, as alternatives to 1080 for targeting mammalian predators. He continues to be involved with the development and commercialisation of pest control tools and systems with low risk to the environment, low toxicity to birds and low secondary poisoning risk, actively working on projects linked to Predator Free NZ. A more humane toxin, PredaStop® was registered for use against mammalian pests in New Zealand in 2012 and Australia in 2016 – the first such toxin to be registered in more than 30 years. Earlier biomedical research experience has proved invaluable at Cawthron were he has co-lead the development of new drugs derived from marine algae with international pharmaceutical companies and global leaders in clinical research creating increased capability and capacity including unique IP and a new drug(s) for a specialist application, with long term substantial revenue and royalty opportunities for Cawthron. Professor Eason has been in leadership roles at the Cawthron Institute since 2003, firstly as a board director and then as Chief Executive and Research Director from 2012, leading more than 280 scientists. Under his leadership as Chief Executive, new funding has been secured and new buildings and laboratories built, including the world’s largest mussel hatchery, funded by Sanford, which opened in the Cawthron Aquaculture and Research Park in 2015 and a Fin Fish Research Centre in 2018. These new facilities are allowing Cawthron to build on its expertise in aquaculture breeding, seafood safety, nutraceuticals, and coastal and freshwater ecology. Professor Eason is a Companion member of Royal Society Te Apārangi and was awarded the Thomson medal in 2017 for leadership of a research organization, and the Companion NZ Order of Merit in 2019